Ice refrigerator



ICE REFRIGERATOR 7 INV ENT 0R.

fm es,

l11llull/11111111111111111111111111/ 1lI11lInIln1111117IlllllllrlllzlllllllllllHl/lI/lllll A TTORNEY Sept- 7, 1937. H. B. .MES 2,091,989

I ICE REFRIGERATOR Filed lFeb. 1, 193e;v :s sheets-sheet :s

*ed v y; 55 4,5 :TFE- E 55 l/ naw 15%] 5 @"5 Q96 a "57/ 0 3? INVENIOR.

\ ATToRNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1937 fi", riii ICE REFRIGERATOR Harry B. limes, Louisville, Ky., assigner to Vtilliani H. Cloud; Louisville, Ky.

ytp,niication February 1,

This invention relates to ice refrigerators, or refrigerators of that type yusing ice in block or cake form as the active refrigerant. v A.

4 One object of the invention is to provide a re- 5? frigerator having a novel and improved construction of ice supporting and air cooling and circulating means whereby the cooling action of the ice is utilized to the highest degree, the cooled air most effectually distributed and the general efficiency of refrigerators of this type materially increased. g

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of refrigerator which ensures a more perfect insulation of the` ice compartment from the outer atmosphere and a regular and even melting of the block or blocks of ice ernployed as the active refrigerant, L

` Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of ice supporting 2Q grid embodying spaced air cooling and circulating channels in direct contact with the ice whereby more uniform and efficient cooling and circulation of the internal surfaces of the refrigerator and of the contained air is obtained.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- Vide a novel construction of ice supporting grid and drip pan having ,coacting surfaces for cooling and circulating the air in the most efficient and advantageouslmanner while at the same time preventing access of drip water or condensation moisture to the goods storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Still another object of the invention is to 'provide novel means for automatically forming in;- dividual cubes of ice for domestic uses from the refrigerant block of ice restingonv the grid'rand permitting the removal of such cubes fror'n the main block of ice in a ready and convenient manner and as'desired.

Still another object of the invention is toy provide means whereby ice supporting grids provided with or without cube formersf'rnay be inter-y changeably mounted in the refrigerator casing.y

Stilll another object of the invention is to provide a grid carrying a cube former'which is removable as a unit with the grid or separately therefrom.

Still another object of the invention isfto provide a novel construction of drip pan for catching and discharging all drip water and moisture' of condensation and discharging the same from the refrigerator. l 1

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction of ice supporting grid, drip pan and coacting parts which are readily ac- 1936, Serial No. 61,997

19 claims.. l(ci. isa-31) cessible for cleaning, repairs and other purposes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction and arrangement of parts increasing the general utility, convenience and efficiency of refrigerators of this class.

With these andV other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed, reference being had. to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through the ice compartment of the refrigerator looking down upon the ice supporting grid.

Fig. 2 is similar view looking from below toward the ice supporting grid.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. f

Fig. i is a front-to-rear vertical section taken substantially on line liof Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on a reduced scale Y taken on line {s2-'ii of Fig. v3.

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are fragmentary bottom plan views of the grid showingpositions of thecube former fastening l means.

Fig. 1l) is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the grid with the cube former removed therefrom.

Fig. l1 is a similar view of'theremoved cube former.

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse section on line i2-l2 of Fig. 1 showing the cube former as it appears in normal position.

Fig. 13 is a similar View showing the cube former dropped to permit of the severance of the formed cube'sfrornv the ice block and showing the manner of forming the -cubes from the ice block.

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail fronttorear sections through the grid and cube former, Fig. 14 showing the appearance of the parts with the cube former in normal position and Fig. 15 the appearance of the` parts when the cube former is dropped for insertion of an ice pick or other tool for severing the ice cubes.

Figs. 16 and 17 are detail front-to-rear sections showing the drip pan in normal and depressed positions.

Fig. 18 is an 'enlarged detail View showing one of the sets of supporting links for the drip pan in the opened up positions they occupy when the pan is depressed.

Fig. 19 isla detail section on line Iig-i9 of Fig. i, illustrating a detail of construction.

Fig. 20 is a view of a portion of the bafe plate.

CII

In the exemplified embodiment of my invention, I provide a casing I of suitable general form and construction and which as shown embodies an upper chamber or compartment 2 to hold blocks or cakes of ice used as the refrigerant and a lower chamber or compartment 3 for the reception of the foodstuff or other goods to be stored and maintained in proper condition. The body of the refrigerator is of double-walled type, comprising an outer Wall 4 and an inner wall 5 suitably spaced apart and packed therebetween with suitable insulation 6. The casing may be provided with a doorway at the front coextensive in width and depth with the chambers 2 and 3 and adapted to be closed by a single door or separate and independent doorways and doors for giving access to the respective chambers may be employed. The form and construction of the chamber may in these and other respects be made in accordance with any of the various forms and `general construction of refrigerator casings in common use.

The walls 4 and 5 may be of sheet metal or other suitable material, and those portions of the walls 4 and 5 which form the chamber or cornpartment 2 are preferably spaced a greater distance apart than those wall portions forming the chamber or compartment 3, so as to reduce the length and width of the compartment 2 with respect to that of the compartment 3 and so as to enable the amount of insulation E placed between the wall portions forming the compartment 2 to be increased in order to prevent too rapid melting of the ice contained therein and to ensure economy in the use of ice. To this end, the portions of the inner walls 4 forming at least the sides of the compartment 2 may be set inwardly or offset from the underlying portions of the walls 5, as indicated at 8. This wall vconstruction, in connection with certain arrangements of the internal parts of the refrigerator, as hereinafter described, also provides for the formation of vertical air flues 9 at the sides of the upper portion of the chamber 3.

At the sides at least of the bottom of the chamber or compartment 2 are disposed supporting members ll in the form of channel irons, the outer anges of which are welded or otherwise secured to the walls 5 and the inner flanges of which have tted thereon inverted U-shaped or channeled cap pieces I|. To the body portions of these supports I are fastened a grid or shelf I2 forming with the members II a support for the ice I3 contained in block or cake form in the compartment 2. This grid or shelf comprises an open rectangular or oblong rectangular frame consisting of a front rail I4, a rear rail I and side rails I6 united at the frame corners in any suitable manner. Between the rails I6, in parallel relation to each other and to the rails |4 and I5, extend a row of hollow grid bars or tubes I1, the rearmost one of which is arranged in close relation to the rail I5, while the forward one of which is spaced a distance from the rail I4 to provide an intervening opening 8. The hollow grid bars or tubes may in practice be of any suitable construction, but, as shown in the present instance, each grid bar or tube consists of a pair of sheet metal channels soldered, riveted or otherwise suitably united to provide a bar or tube of rectangular form in cross-section. The upper surfaces of these grid bars or tubes are arranged in the same plane as the cap pieces I I to form with the latter supports on which the ice block or cake rests. The arrangement of the bars or tubes in spaced relation provides a row of vertical transverse cooling and air circulating passages I9. Each bar or tube i? is open at its opposite ends to provide air inlets 2t communicating with the iiues 9 and each bar or'tube Il is provided in its underside with a longitudinally extending slot 2| extending to equal degrees in opposite directions from the transverse center of the tube. A comb-shaped baille plate 22 extends vertically beneath the grid centrally and from front to rear thereof the distance between a partition plate 23, separating the front tube from the opening I8, and the rear grid rail I5 and is provided with two series of long and short projections 24 and 25 which extend upwardly respectively into the spaces 20 between the tubes H and into the bodies of the tubes themselves through the slots 2|. By this construction the air channel of each tube II, and each space I9 between adjacent tubes, is divided by a central partition into two channels located on opposite sides of the center of the casing and communieating respectively through'the inlets 2|] at each side of the refrigerator with the ilues 9 and through the slots 2| forming spaced air discharge outlets, with the central portion ofy the chamber or compartment 3 beneath the grid for the circulation beneath the grid and within the chamber 3 of currents of air in the manner hereinafter described.

The opening I8 at the front of the grid is designed for the reception of an ice cuber 26. This consists of a box or receptacle of oblong rectangular form and constructed to fit snugly beneath said opening I8 and to abut in applied position against the rails I6. The cuber is formed with one orr more rows or any desired arrangement of cube forming pockets 2l open at their upper ends and closed at their sides and bottoms and provided in their closed bottoms with small drain outlets 28,. This cuber is so arranged that the pockets 2l thereof are disposed, like the spaces 20, beneath the block or cake of ice I3 supported by the grid. In the operation of the refrigerator, as the ice melts and descends under its weight, portions of the bottom of the ice cake project downward into the spaces I9 in the form of ribs 29 and portions of the ice cake project downwardly into the cube forming pockets 2'! in the form of projections 30, which ribs 29 and projections 3i! are caused, by the melting of adjacent portions of the ice due to the relatively warmer metal surfaces, to descend into the spaces 20 and pockets 21 in spaced relation to and free from engagement with all surfaces thereof. Therefore, after the cake of ice has been in use for a certain period and melted to a certain degree,the ribs 29 are producedwhich extend into the spaces 2D and form cooling portions of ice whereby the currents of air traveling through said spaces 2|] are eifectually cooled, While at the same time projections s@ of ice are produced Within the pockets 2l which may be separated from the block of ice, when they reach a suitable size, to produce ice cubes for domestic use.

The cuber 2B is detachably fastened in position by a novel construction of supporting and fastening means. This supporting and fastening means comprises a centrally disposed operating lever 3| pivoted to the underside of the cuber at or near its center, and with which are pivotally connected latch bars 32 movable through guides 33 on the underside of the cuber and having their outer end portions 34 forming latch members engageable with keeper slots v35 in keeper members 36 secured to the underside of the grid rails I5, the free end of the lever 3l being provided with a nger piece 31 and the construction lbeing such that by movementof the lever in opposite directions the latch bars maybe moved inwardly or outwardly to retract or project the latch members. Each latch bar carries adjacent to the latch member a locking wedge orA cam 38 having a lower inclined surface, and the keeper slots 35 are of suflicient depth ,tol receive these locking wedges or cams. The construction of this supporting and locking mechanismy is such as toadapt the cuber to be held in the normal position shown in Figs. 12 and 14, raised against the rails IE, or to be low'- ered and supported without disconnection from the grid, asshown in Figs. 13 and 15, so as to space the cuber from the rail I4 to form an intervening passage or slot through which a suitable tool, such as an ice pick or the like, as indicated at 39 in Fig. l5, may be introduced for the purpose of severing the cube projections 39 from the ice block I3. By this means it will be seen that whenever projections 30 of suitable size are formed and it is desired to separate any one or more of them from the ice block to form cubes for use, this may be eiTected by adjusting the locking mechanism from the locking posi tion shown in Figs. 12 and 14, in which the wedges 38 occupy the openings 35, to the depressed supporting position shown in Figs.. 13 and 15, in which the latch ends. 34 of the latch bars occupy the openings 35 and support the cuber inthe depressed condition for the introj duction of the tool 39 and severance of the ice cubes. By then further retracting the latch bars the latch members may be withdrawn from the keeper openings 35 to allow the cuber to be removed vfroml the grid for the extraction of the ice cubes. In this manner a novel `construction of means is provided for the formation of ice cubes from an ice block automatically through the descent of the block at'it melts. The' grid I2 may be either xedly or removably secured in position. In the present instance it is shown as removably secured in position by means of fastening bolts 49 passing through openings in the supporting channels III and rails I5 of the grid and engaging threaded members or'notches 4I integral with or xed to therail I 6 of the grid. This mode of mounting allows of the interchangeable use of grids with or without cubers, and of the removal of a detachable grid and a cuber as a unit or the removal of the cuber independently of the grid, as will be readily understood.

The construction of that'` part of the refrigerator forming the. ice chamber 2, which is protected bythe thickened layer of insulation, and is in communication with the chamber 3 only through the restricted spaces I9 and byconduction through the walls of the grid, ensures, at all times when the door to said chamber is closed, the formation therein of a substantial dead air space which in turn ensures a substan- `tially uniform melting of the ice block or cake,

with economy in the use of ice and the effective production of cooling ribsy 29 and cube projections 39 of vadequate size.'v

Disposed in the upper portion of the chamber or compartment 3 beneath the grid is a drip or drain pan 42, which pan comprises a bottom plate 43, having upstanding lfront and rear flanges 4,4, and a pan-shaped top plate 45, which ts down between the flanges of the bottom plate and is provided with a downturned hooked rim suitably secured to the ilanges 44 of said bottom plate, the two plates` being thus disposed in xed and superposed relation with an intervening air new duct or channel 4l therebetween. The drip pan thus formed is of less width than the distance between the walls 5 so as to terminate short of the flues 9 and is of suiiicient area to completely underlie the grid and to catch all drain water and water of condensation dripping from the grid. AThe pan may be inclined at a suitable angle of inclination between its` front and rear edges for the rearward drain of the moisture and the pan members are provided at the rear with the concentrically arranged drain tubes lland 49 which discharge the moisture therefrom into the usual refrigerator drain pipe 50. The pan is pivotally connected at each side and near its rear end to hanger-straps 5l whereby it is supported from the grid for up and down swinging movements toward and from the grid, so that when tilted downwardly all portions of the pan and adjacent portions of the grid will be rendered accessible through the front top opening in the refrigerator casing for easy cleaning or repairs wheneverv required. At a point between its front edge and supports 5I the pan is suspended at each side from hanger brackets 52 on the grid by means of a link SPH member 53 pivoted at its lower end to the pan l and a link 54 pivoted at its upper end to the bracket 52 and at its lower end to the upper end Aof the link 53, the pivotal connections of the link 54 with the parts 53 and 52 being arranged respectively at the lower iront corner of the link 54 and at the upper rear corner thereof. On the bracket 52 is a stop member 55 and on each lower link is a finger piece 55 serving also as a stop member. The arrangement of these links is such that when the pan is swung up to normal position, asshown in Fig. 16, the links 54 will lie against the stops 55 and the pivotal connection between the links 53 and 54 will lie in rear of the pivotal connection between the links 54 and the brackets 52, with the nger piece and stop 55 abutting against the link 54, whereby through this oi center connection the pan will be locked by the folding links in raised position. The operator by engaging the fingers of the hands with the finger pieces 55, however, may draw the links 53 and 54 forward to a releasing position in which the links will dro-p down, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, for an unlocking action and a supporting action in which the pan is held disposed and in an inclined position to allow free access to the pan and other adjacent parts for cleaning or repairs. Formed in the bottom pan section 43 adjacent to and on opposite sides of the transverse center thereof are slots or openings 5l, and formed in the upper pan section 45 above and in alinement with the slots 5l are slots or openings 58 communicating with the air flow channel between the pan sections and with the space between the pan and grid. The openings 58 are preferably bounded by upstanding guard kerbs or flanges 59' which permit of the iiow oi air there` through but prevent the water in the pan section 45 from flowing out therewith. The body portion of the comb-shaped-baiile plate or partition 22 previously described depends in the space between the grid and drip panto a point between the two openings 58, and disposed on opposite sides of this depending portion of the baflie plate are roof-shaped baffles 59 which overhang the openings 58 in spaced relation thereto. Each of these baiiles 59 consists of an upper plate 60 and a lower plate 5l connected in spaced 5 relation thereto, said plates being carried by supports 62 rising from the pan member 45. The plates 6D, as shown, lie on opposite sides of the baile 22 beneath the air outlets 2! of the hollow grid bars or tubes and within the air flow 10 passages or chambers 62 formed between the grid and drip pan, which passages communicate at their sides or outer endsrwith the flues 9 and through the outlets 2| with the channels of the hollow grid bars or tubes. By this arrangement of the baiiles 59 the plates 60 form water sheds to conduct any water of condensation dripping from the grid into the pan 45 and to prevent the same from flowing outward with the air through the passages 58, while the lower plate section 6I of each baille 59 collects any particles of water condensing thereon into the pan 45 to likewise prevent such moisture particles from passing down through the passages 5B. As a result of the described construction and arrangement r of the grid and pan, it will be seen that portions of the warm air currents rising from the chamber 3 will flow upward at the sides thereof and through the fiues 9 into the channels formed by the hollow grid bars or tubes and intothe spaces between said bars or tubes, then inwardly and downwardly through the outlets 2l into the passages 62 and through the passages or openings 58 and 5l back into the chamber 3, while at the same time other portions of the air passing upwardly through the ilues, will ilow into the spaces 62 and thence downwardly through the openings 59 and 53 back to the chamber 3. In this manner, therefore, the rising warm air from the food chamber will travel upward at the sides or warmer portions of the chamber, thence inwardly and horizontally through the cooling surfaces formed by the grid tube channels and spaces therebetween and by the grid and drip pan surfaces, so that such currents ofair will be cooled and the moisture deposited by condensation therefrom caught by the pan, and the cooled currents caused to travel back through the center openings in the pan to the chamber 3 and downward at the center of said chamber where the lowest temperature prevails, thus ensuring the cooling of the air to a maximum extent and its circulation and distribution in the most effective manner vabout the cooling surfaces and within the chamber 3 to maintain a desired and substantially low constant temperature in said chamber 3. As shown, the channel l1 between the drip pan plates is open at the sides and communicates with the fiues 9. If desired, the ilanges 44 of the lower end section may be provided with openings 93 for connecting the upper portion of the chamber 3 at front and rear with the channel d1, so that an additional cir-` culation of air at the front and rear of the refrigerator may be obtained through said channel to further cool the air and to facilitate the discharge of collected moisture.

Preferably the upstanding projections 24 of the bale plate 22 are extended above the level of the upper surfaces o the hollow grid bars or tubes l'l and are engaged by a U-shaped cap piece 64 which extends the full distance from front to rear of the grid and forms an intermediate support for the ice block i3. Finger pieces 65 may be attached to the underside of the cube former to assist in its removal.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved ice refrigerator structure will be readilyunderstood and it will be seen that the invention provides a structure of this kind in which the most eiective cooling of the air by the refrigerant and its circulation is obtained in order to keep the chamber or compartment 3 at a predetermined low temperature, while at the same time a most effective collection and drainage off of all drip water and water of condensation will be obtained and the moisture Vprevented from dripping down into or injuring foodstufs stored in the chamber or compartment 3. By the construction of the grid with hollow grid bars or tubes of the character described provision is made for cooling the grid surfaces and bringing the circulating air in contact therewith and in direct contact with portions of the ice whereby maximum cooling of the air in circulation is ensured. This cooling effect is amplified and intensied by the novel construction of the drip pan and its utilization to provide supplemental cooling surfaces and to direct the flow of the air so that a cooling eect of the drip water and water of condensation on the air Will also be obtained without danger of the passage of any water into the food containing compartment. Also it will be seen that my invention provides in a very simple and effective way for the production of ice cubes for domestic use in an ice refrigerator and directly from the ice block or `cake itself, thus enabling portions of ice in convenient form for many purposes to be supplied toI the user. My invention thus provides an ice refrigerator of novel type and having these and many other desirable and important advantages over prior refrigerators of its kind.

It will be understood, of course, that while the structure disclosed is preferred, modifications, other than those shown or suggested, in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim is:-

l. An ice refrigerator comprising a casing, an ice supporting grid detachably mounted in the casing, a cube former carried by the grid and mounted thereon for removal therewith from the casing or for removal independently thereof from the casing, and means for raising and lowering the cube former relative to the grid and supporting it in a lowered position.

2. An ice refrigerator comprising al casing, an ice supporting grid mounted in the casing and provided with an opening therein, a cube former detachably mounted on the grid below and in alinement with said opening, and means for raising and lowering the cube former relative to the grid and supporting it in a lowered position.

3. An ice refrigerator' comprising a casing, an ice supporting grid mounted in the casing and having an opening therein, a cube former carried by the grid below and in alinement with the opening, and fastening means for detachably connecting said cube former with the grid and for supporting said cube former in a depressed position relative to its normal plane to provide a space thereaboveifor insertion of a cube severing tool.

4. An ice-refrigerator comprising a casing having an upper ice holding compartment and a lower goods containing compartment, an ice supporting grid arrangedbetween said compartments and .embodying a series of spaced hollow grid members extending transversely of the casing and having air inlet openings at theirv outer ends and air outlets in their bottom portionsat or near the center thereof, aldripl pan ldisposed beneath the grid and spacedfrom the sides of the goods compartment to provide vertical air flues at said Asides of the compartment, said pan having air openings extending therethrough adjacent to and on opposite vsides ofthe-center thereof and con` necting the central portion of the goods com- 'partment therebelow with the' space between the grid and drip pan, and vbaffling means in said l5space and in lthe spaces between the grid members and extending into the air outletsof the grid members to form passages; connecting the hollow `grid members with the air 'flues and openings in the pan.

V 5. An ice refrigeratorrfcomprising a casing, an ice supporting grid mounted therein and having an opening at the front thereof, a' pocketed cube forming element mounted on the grid below and in alinement with said opening, and fastening devices for supporting the cube forming element in operative position or supporting it in a relatively lowered positionw f l 6. A refrigerator having an ice supporting grid, a cube forming element provided with pockets,

and means for securing said element to the grid, said securing means being movable to a position to space the element from the grid without releasing it therefrom and to a position for releasing th-e element entirely from the grid.

35.r '7. A refrigerator having an ice supporting grid provided with an opening therein, a cube forming element provided with pockets disposed beneath the opening in the grid, and fastening means for securing the cube forming element to the grid,

40 said fastening means embodying parts movable to dispose the cube forming element in spaced relation to the grid without releasing it therefrom and to a position for releasing said element for detachment from the grid.

8. A refrigerator comprising a casing, an ice supporting grid arranged thereinfand having a series of hollow parallel grid members provided with end air inlets and centrally located bottom air'outlets for the circulation of air therethrough,

a drip pan disposed beneath the grid and having air circulating openings therein, a baffle arranged between said openings the grid members and also extending into the latter to divide portions of the casing into air flow channels communieating with said openings, and baffles disposed supporting grid in said casing, a drip pan arl ranged in the casing beneath the grid and pivotally mounted at its rear end for swinging movements upwardly and downwardly toward and from the grid, and linkage connections between the front of the drip pan and the casing adapted to fold and unfold in the up and down movements of the pan and to lock the pan in raised position.

10. An ice refrigerator comprising a casing, an ice supporting grid within the casing provided with a series of parallel hollow grid members forming air channels having air inlets at one end and air outlets in their bottom portions near the center thereof, a drip pan disposed beneath the :f5 grid and provided with air circulating openings rtherein adjacent to and on opposite sides of the center thereof, a partition disposed between said openings and having portions projecting upwardly intoy the hollow grid elements and into the spaces' therebetween to form flow channels on `opposite sides of the center of the refrigerator,

and baffle devices disposed between the grid and drip pan and' guarding the openings therein against the entrance of drip water and moisture thereto.

l1. An ice refrigerator comprising a casing having an upper ice containing compartment and a lower goods containing compartment, an ice supporting grid disposed between said compartments and having hollow ice supporting members spaced to provide passages therebetween yand forming air channels having air inlets at the sides of the refrigerator and bottom air outlets at the center of the refrigerator, a drip pan arranged beneath the grid in spaced relation;` `thereto and having central air openings therein below said air outlets of the ice supporting members, the said parts being arranged to provide warm air fiues at the top of the sides of the goods frigerator and having their bottom walls formed with air outlets located at the center of the refrigerator, a drip pan arranged beneath the grid in spaced relation thereto and having central air openings therein below said air outlets of the hollow ice supporting members, the said parts being arranged to provide warm air flues at the top of the sides of the goods containing compartment with which said air inlets and passages communicate and bailling means arranged beneath said central air outlets of the hollow ice supporting members and above said central air openings in the drip pan for directing air flowing from the said outlets to said openings.

13. An ice refrigerator having an ice supporting grid mounted therein andembodying a frame and parallel hollow ice supporting .grid bars eX- tending between opposite sides of the frame and forming air circulating conductors, said bars having air inlets at their ends and centrally disposed air outlets in their bottom portions.

ifi. An ice refrigerator comprising a casing having an upper cooling compartment and a lower goods containing compartment, an ice supporting grid separating said compartments and embodying hollow parallel grid members extending from side to side of the grid, said grid members forming air conductors provided with air inlets at their outer ends communicating with the top portion of the goods containing compartment at opposite sides of the latter and said grid members having air outlets in their bottom portions at or near the center thereof, and baffling means disposed beneath said outlets to direct air flowing from said outlets downwardly at the center of the goods containing compartment.

15. An ice refrigerator comprising a casing, an ice supporting grid mounted therein and embodying spaced grid members, said grid having an opening at the front thereof, a pocketed cube forming element arranged beneath the grid in alinement with said opening, and fastening means adjustably and detachably connecting said cube forming element with the grid to adapt it to be supported in a depressed position with relation to the ice supporting surface of the grid without removal therefrom or to be detached therefrom for removal.

16. A refrigerator having an ice receiving compartment and a goods holding compartment, an ice supporting grid therein separating said compartments and embodying hollow ice supporting members forming air ducts having air inlets and outlets communicating at different points with the goods containing compartment, and a cube former carried by the grid and adjustable therein to a position to expose the cubes for separation from an ice cake resting on the grid.

17. A refrigerator having an ice receiving compartment and a goods holding compartment, an ice supporting grid therein between said compartments embodying parallel hollow ice supporting grid members forming air cooling and Kcirculating ducts and separated to form air cooling spaces between said members, the members being provided with air inlets and outlets communicating at different points with the goods holding compartment, and a cube former carried by the grid and adjustable thereon from a cube forming position to a position below the same to expose the cubes for separation from an ice cake resting on the grid.

18. A refrigerator comprising a casing having an ice receiving compartment, and an ice supporting grid embodying a plurality of spaced parallel icev supporting members arranged in spaced relation and forming air cooling spaces therebetween, each of said members being of tubular form t0 provide an air cooling and circulating channel open for the inlet of air at the ends of the member and provided in its underside at or adjacent to the center thereof with air outlets for the discharge of the air.

19. A refrigerator having an ice supporting surface comprising relatively stationary and adjustable sections, said adjustable section being provided with depending pockets for the automatic formation of 4cubes from portions of a block of ice resting on said surface by descent of the ice as it melts, the adjustable section being mounted for movement relative to the stationary section below its normal ice supporting position to permit of the use of an implement for severing the cubes from the block.

HARRY B. IMES. 

